NJ Considers Dumping Some Cable TV And Telecom Regulations

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) – New Jersey may soon get rid of most of the regulations now governing the cable TV and telecommunications industry and consumer advocates are none too thrilled about it. The measure, which has already cleared the state assembly, is now in a senate committee.

Opponents like Stefanie Brand, Director of the State Division of Rate Counsel, in effect a consumer advocate, say it’ll take most protections off landline phone and cable TV service, hurting the poor and elderly.

“Consumers still very much want to see, for example, if their cable is out for more than 6 hours, that they get a credit on their bill. Those types of things would be at the discretion of the company.”

Industry proponents contend the regulations get in the way of the realities of today, since many have shed their corded phones and there’s lots of TV alternatives like FIOS and satellite. Besides, the best consumer protection, in the industry’s view, is for people to take their business somewhere else if they don’t like what they’ve got.

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“Besides, the best consumer protection, in the industry’s view, is for people to take their business somewhere else if they don’t like what they’ve got.”

Two things come to mind.

1. “If they don’t like what they got” – what happened to companies that made a product that people actually liked instead of saying “You don’t like it? Go somewhere else!”

2. There’s no doubt “the industry” believes this is the best consumer protection. Unfortunately, what happens is either “the industry” buys up smaller companies that were providing competition and/or already leases the lines that the smaller companies use, thus negating the idea of “shopping around.”

** Or **

For people who live in rural areas where there is only one major company providing service, they’re at the mercy of that company to not keep raising prices and/or cutting back service, such as in the case of cable TV when providers constantly raise prices or remove programming from basic packages.

I cut the cord (cable) two years ago…I save a boat load of money. Cable TV is the biggest rip-off ever invented. Get off the couch and install a antenna. The money you save can be used to set up a HTPC/DVR. yeah baby…no commercials.